Seventh-Day Sabbath or First Day of the Week?

Should Christians today
observe the seventh-day Sabbath or the first day of the week (Sunday)? Did Jesus remove or
abolish the Old Law so that we should obey only New
Testament commands?

What is the difference between moral and ceremonial laws,
the Law of Moses and the Law of God?
Are the Law of Moses and the Ten Commands abrogated? What law should we
observe today? Should we "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" or
meet on the first day of the week (Sunday)?

Introduction:

Does the Bible teach Christians today to observe the 7th-day Sabbath,
or is the first day of the week the special day for Christians?

Modern Sabbath keepers distinguish parts of the old law. They say only
the "ceremonial law" or "Law of Moses" was removed,
not the "moral law" or "Law of God," the 10 Commands.
The Sabbath was in the 10 Commands, so it is still binding.

Which of the following should Christians keep today?

What Scripture tells which should be observed today, but not others?
Which are "ceremonial" (law of Moses) and which are
"moral" (law of God)?

* Levitical priesthood (Ex. 40:12-16; 29:1-9; Num. 3:10; 18:1-7;
16:40; cf. Heb. 7:11-18; cf. 1 Pet. 2:5,9) - A command (Ex. 40:12-16) under the covenant at Sinai (Ex. 29:1-9).
Only Aaron and his descendants could be priests (Num. 3:10; 18:1-7;
16:40). Now Jesus is High Priest, not a descendant of Aaron but of a
different order; so the law changed (Heb. 7:11-18; cf. 1 Pet. 2:5,9).

God (not man) changed these commands, including holy days of rest. When people cite passages
saying we or others should keep God's commands, we ask: "Should
they keep all the above commands?" Do modern Sabbath keepers observe
them all? Did Old Testament characters keep the commands to be baptized,
keep the Lord's Supper?

Man-made covenants as an illustration

Galatians 3:15 uses human covenants (contracts, agreements) to illustrate
the principle of covenants made between men and God. Hebrews 9:17 does
likewise with man-made wills or testaments. This illustration becomes helpful
in understanding our relationship to the covenant God made with Israel through
Moses, including the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

In every day life everyone understands the concept of contracts/covenants.
We have contracts with various people to purchase products (house, car,
computer software) and services (telephone, electricity, Internet), etc. A
covenant includes conditions, terms, or requirements to be fulfilled by the
parties who participate in it. In particular:

* Each contract is binding only on the parties named as participating in
it. Other people may have similar contracts, but no one is bound by anyone
else's contract. No one may attempt to bind on you the terms of a contract
if you were not a party to that contract.

* Each contract is binding only as long as the terms of the contract remain
in effect. The contract may stipulate that it will expire at a certain
time or under certain conditions (lease a car for 5 years, a testament is no
longer binding if the maker issues a subsequent will, etc.). When the terms of
a contract have been fulfilled, the contract expires and is no longer binding
on anyone, not even the people who were originally bound by it.

* A new contract/covenant or testament may replace or succeed a previous
covenant/testament. If so, the parties involved are bound by the terms of
the new contract, not by the terms of the old one. For example, if a man makes
a new will, it replaces the previous will entirely. The new contract may have
some conditions that are similar or even identical to terms in the previous
contract, and it may have some terms that differ. Nevertheless, no terms of
the previous contract as such are still binding on the parties- not even if
the terms existed in several previous contracts. The only binding terms are
those that exist in the current contract.

Earlier in this introduction we listed some laws or covenants that are not
binding on us today. The principles we have just discussed explain why these
are not binding. We intend to show that the covenant God made with Israel
through Moses is not binding on anyone today just like all these previously
discussed laws and covenants are no longer binding. This will apply to all the
laws and terms of that covenant, including the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

We now live under an entirely different covenant that replaced the one made
through Moses. None of the laws revealed through Moses - nor any laws
revealed before Moses - apply today. All such laws, terms, and conditions
have been replaced by the gospel of Jesus Christ. As in the illustration, the
gospel may include laws that are similar or even identical to some that went
before, but none of those laws are in effect because they were included in any
previous covenant. The only laws or conditions that are required of us today
are the ones that are included in the New Testament.

Please consider our evidence from the word of God.

Part I: Evidence the 10 Commands & Sabbath Are Not Binding

God has the right to apply laws to only certain people and to cause those
laws to cease to be binding (see introductory examples). Consider evidence
this is true of the 10 Commands, including the Sabbath. Note that all
arguments expressly apply to 10 Commands, including Sabbath, not just other
parts of the law.

#1. The Ten Commands & Sabbath Were Given Only to Israel.

God gave some commands to certain specific people, not to all people
everywhere. Examples: Noah's ark, Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac,
circumcision to Abraham's descendants. Applying these commands to others
does not show faithfulness to God but perverts His will! [Cf. Rom. 3:19.]

10 Commands and Sabbath Part of the Covenant Given at Sinai

The 10 Commands, including the Sabbath, were written on two tablets of
stone and placed in the ark of the covenant (Ex. 34:1,27,28; 31:18;
32:15,16; Deut. 4:13; 5:1,2ff,22; 9:9-11; 10:1-5; 1 Kings 8:9). Consider
evidence that the covenant given at Sinai included the 10 Commands and the
Sabbath. We will later show that this covenant was removed.

The Ten Commands were in the covenant at Sinai

Ex. 34:27,28 - God made a covenant with Israel on
Sinai. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the 10
Commandments.

Deut. 4:13 - He declared His covenant that is the 10
Commandments on tables of stone

Deut. 5:2,22 - God made a covenant with us in Horeb
(then quotes the 10 Commands). He added no more and He wrote them on two
tablets of stone.

Deut. 9:9,11 - On the mountain Moses received the tablets of stone,
the tablets of the covenant. The Lord gave him the two
tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant.

2 Chron. 6:11 - In the ark is the covenant
that the Lord made with Israel.

The Sabbath was in the covenant at Sinai

Sabbath would be included in 10 Commands as above.

Ex. 31:16 - Children of Israel observe the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant.

So the two tablets, including the 10 Commands and the Sabbath were
placed in the ark, and were a fundamental part of the covenant at Sinai.

10 Commands & Sabbath in the "Book of the Covenant."

Some claim the 10 Commands on the two tablets were not part of the law
that God removed because they were placed in the ark, but
the rest of the law was the Book of the Covenant placed beside
the ark (Deut. 31:24-26). Note evidence that the 10 Commands were included
in both:

The covenant initiated - Ex. 19:3-8

The Lord told Israel, keep my covenant and you will be
my special people. All the people answered: All that the lord has
spoken we will do (v8).

The covenant stated - Ex. 20:1-17; chap. 21-23

20:1-17 - The 10 Commands stated

Chap. 21-23- Other laws stated, including the Sabbath (23:12)

The covenant recorded and dedicated - Ex. 24:3-8

V3 - Moses told the people all the words of the Lord. The people
said: All the words of the Lord we will do.

V4 - Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.

V7 - He read the Book of the Covenant, and all the
people said: All that the Lord has said we will do.

V8 - Moses sprinkled blood on the people and called it "the blood
of the covenant which the Lord made with you according to all
these words."

Other passages

Nehemiah 8:1,8,18 - The "book of the law" is called
"the book of the law of Moses" (v1) and "the law" (v2)
and "the book of the law of God" (vv 8,18). Sabbatarians
generally agree that the "law of God" includes the Ten Commands.
If so, note that "the law of God" was in "the book"
that was read (v8) which was the "book of the law of Moses"
(v1). So the Ten Commands are included in the "book of the law"
or "the book of the law of Moses." So all these terms refer to
the same law, not separate laws.

Hebrews 9:18,19 adds that the
first covenant was dedicated with blood. When Moses had spoken "every
precept" ("command" - NKJV footnote) to the people
according to the law, then he sprinkled blood on the book,
etc. So the book contained all the commands of the law.

So the covenant included all the words God spoke,
including the 10 Commands and the Sabbath. All was written in the Book of
the Covenant, and the people agreed to keep it all.

10 Commands & the
Sabbath in the "Law and the Prophets"

The New Testament uses the expression "the law and the
prophets" to summarize the whole of the Scriptures given before Jesus
came (the law would be the writings of Moses and the prophets the writings
of other prophets). Examples include:

Matthew 5:17 - Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets
but to fulfill them (see Luke 24:44 below and notes on Matthew 5:17-19
under Part I #9).

Matthew 7:12 - Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for
this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:40 - On these two commandments hang all the Law and the
Prophets. (So all the teaching of the Old Testament rests on love fore God
and for others, because proper love leads to obedience to all God's
commands. Sabbatarians agree this includes the Ten Commands.)

Luke 16:16 - The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time
the kingdom of God has been preached... (So all the inspired writings that
came before John the Baptist are summarized in the term "the law and
the prophets." That would include the Ten Commands.)

Luke 24:44 - Jesus said that "all things must be fulfilled which
were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me." (He fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy of the
Messiah. Note that Moses writings are here called "the Law of
Moses," but that includes everything Moses revealed from God,
including the Ten Commands.)

John 1:45 - Again Philip
said, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the
prophets, wrote-Jesus of Nazareth" (Note: What Moses wrote is the
law, and the rest of the Old Testament is the prophets.)

Acts 13:15 - Jews in the synagogue read from the Law and the
Prophets.

Acts 24:14 - Paul confessed that He worshiped God according to
"the Way" which they called a sect (which is the gospel way),
yet he still believed all things which are written in the Law and in the
Prophets. (So, he still believed everything in the Old Testament to be
true.)

Acts 28:23 - When the Jews came to Paul he testified of the kingdom
of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and
the Prophets. (As in verses above, Jesus fulfilled prophecies throughout
the Old Testament.)

Rom 3:21 - The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel apart
from the law, but is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. (Salvation by
the gospel was prophesied in the Old Testament, so the law and the
prophets become evidence why we should accept the gospel.)

So any passage that refers to "the law and the prophets" is
referring to the entirety of Old Testament writings. This would include
specifically Moses' writings, which include the Ten Commands and the
Sabbath. So the Ten Commands and the Sabbath are part of "the law and
the prophets."

10 Commands Given Specifically to Nation of Israel

Ex. 19:1-6 - The children of Israel had gone out of Egypt.
God said tell the children of Israel, if they keep His
covenant, they would be special to God above all people (other people are not
addressed). Speak to the children of Israel.

Ex. 20:2,22 - God brought you out of the land of Egypt.
You shall have no other gods, etc. - the 10 Commands (vv
3-17). Say to the children of Israel.

Ex. 34:27,28 - The Lord made a covenant with Israel and
wrote on tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Deut. 4:1,7-13,44,45 - Israel, listen to the statutes I
teach you to observe. Possess the land the Lord gives you. What great nation
has such statutes? God commanded you to perform the Ten Commands and
wrote them on two tablets. This is the law Moses set before the children
of Israel, the statutes Moses spoke to the children of
Israel after they came out of Egypt.

Deut. 5:1,6 - Moses called all Israel and said, Hear O Israel,
the statues and learn to observe them. The Lord made a covenant with us
in Horeb. God brought you out of the land of Egypt. (Then
follows the 10 Commands.)

1 Kings 8:9,21 - In the ark were the two tablets of stone Moses put
there at Horeb when the Lord made a covenant with the children of
Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

2 Chron. 6:11 - In the ark was the covenant God made with Israel.

Eph. 2:11,12 - Gentiles in the flesh were strangers
from the covenants of promise.

The Ten Commands (including the Sabbath) were given to a specific
nation, Israel, whom God brought out of Egypt. No other nation had such a
great law. (Note that "strangers" of other nations who lived in
Israelite territory were included - Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy
5:14.)

[Cf. Deut. 6:4,10; 9:1,10; Rom. 9:4,5; 2:14; 1 Cor. 9:20,21]

Sabbath Given Specifically to Israel

The Sabbath given to Israel

The Sabbath was included in the 10 Commands given to Israel.

Deut. 5:15 - Israel (v1) was a slave in the land of Egypt
but God brought them out. Therefore, God commanded you
to keep the Sabbath day.

Ex. 31:13,16,17 - The children of Israel should keep
God's Sabbath for it was a sign between God and Israel.
The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath. It is a sign
between God and the children of Israel.

Ezek. 20:10-12 - God brought them out of Egypt into the
wilderness, gave them His statutes, and gave them His Sabbaths as a sign
between them and God.

The Sabbath was given to Israel, the nation that God brought out of
Egypt, as a sign between Him and them. Does that apply to Gentiles? People
in other nations?

[Cf. Hos. 1:10; 2:11]

Signs between God and Israel

* Gen. 17:10,11; Rom. 4:11 -Circumcision was a sign
between God and the descendants of Abraham.

* Ex. 13:7-10 - Feast of unleavened bread was a sign that
God brought them out of Egypt.

* Ex. 31:13,16,17; Ezek. 20:10-12 - The Sabbath was a
sign between God and Israel that God brought them out of Egypt
(Deut. 5:15).

How can the Sabbath be a sign between God and Israel if people of all
nations must keep it? Did God bring us out of Egypt? Must we also keep the
sign of circumcision and unleavened bread? Would a wedding ring be a sign
between a man and his wife if he gave the same sign to all other women?

People in general need not keep the Ten Commands and the Sabbath for the
same reason we need not build arks like Noah or sacrifice sons like Abraham.
God did not address these commands to us. To apply them to others perverts
the commands.

#2. These Laws Were in Effect Throughout Israel's Generations

God gave the following laws to Israel (not others) "throughout their
generations":

All these practices would endure for the same length of time -
throughout Israel's generations. Do Sabbath-keepers keep them all? If any
of them have ceased, then they must have all ceased. But we have proved many
of them are no longer binding; so they must have all ceased, including the
Sabbath.

So "throughout Israel's generations" meant as long as God's
special covenant with Israel continued. When Israel's role as God's
special nation ended, then all these practices would cease. They ceased when
Jesus died on the cross and the gospel came into effect. There is no more
Jew or Gentile in God's plan (Gal. 3:28). [Eph. 2:11-18; Acts 10:34,35;
15:7-11; Rom. 10:12; Col. 3:11]

The Sabbath cannot successfully be distinguished from other parts of the
old law. Like other laws which all agree have ceased, the Sabbath lasted
only "throughout Israel's generations."

#3. Hebrews chapters 7-10

Christ removed the first covenant.

Hebrews 7:11-14,18 - The law allowed priests only of the tribe of Levi
(see introduction). But it predicted Christ would be a priest, though of the
tribe of Judah (Psalm 110:4). This required that the law be changed
(v12) and annulled (v18). The law itself required this.

Hebrews 8:6-13 - Jer. 31:31-34 predicted God would make a newcovenant different from the one He made with Israel when He
led them out of Egypt. When Christ established this new covenant (v6), the
first was obsolete and vanished away (v13). This
did not contradict the Old Testament, but fulfilled it.

Hebrews 10:1-18 - Animal sacrifices under the first covenant could not
completely take away sin (v4). Jesus died as the sacrifice of the new
covenant to completely forgive sin (vv 12,17). So Christ took away
the first will and established the second (vv 9,10). This did not contradict
God's will but harmonized with it (vv 7,9).

This is how the law was weak and unprofitable - it told men they were
sinners but could not permanently forgive them (7:11,18; 8:6,7). The law was
not a mistake. It had a purpose, but a temporary one. When the new law came,
the old had fulfilled its purpose. It was removed because it was no longer
needed.

The covenant that was removed included the 10 Commands and the Sabbath.

Jesus removed the covenant God made with Israel when He led them out of
Egypt (8:9; 10:9,10). This was one covenant - the "first
covenant" (8:7,13; 9:1,15,18; 10:9) - not two covenants, one removed
and the other remaining. (Jesus removed the old covenant itself, not just
condemnation nor man-made traditions.)

But what did this first covenant include? We already proved that first
covenant included the 10 Commands and Sabbath (see point 1). Hebrews
directly confirms this:

Hebrews 9:18-20 - The first covenant was dedicated by blood and
included every precept ("command" - NKJV footnote)
spoken by Moses. Ex. 24:3-8 showed this included all the words
the Lord spoke (vv 3,4,7), including the Ten Commands spoken by God in Ex.
20:3-17.

Hebrews 9:1-4 - This covenant that was removed included the tables
of the covenant which were inside the ark of the covenant. But the
tables refer to the Ten Commands, including the Sabbath - Ex. 34:27,28;
Deut. 4:13; 5:2,22; 9:9,11.

So Jesus removed the first covenant, including the tables of the covenant
- the 10 Commands and the Sabbath. All this was according to the will of
God.

#4. 2 Corinthians 3:6-11

The old covenant passed away.

Again, the Old Testament (v14) is contrasted to the new covenant (v6).
The old was a ministration of death, because it proved men deserved death.
Yet it came with glory. The new covenant is a ministration of righteousness
and is more glorious (v9).

V11 - That which was glorious (the old covenant - v7) was passing
away, so that which has more glory (the new covenant) may remain.
What was done away was, not just the glory (v7), but that which was
glorious (v11)- the Old Testament itself.

What covenant was it that passed away?

We already showed that the old covenant included the 10 Commands and the
Sabbath. But the context confirms this.

That which passed away was written and engraved on stones (v7). But that
was the Ten Commands (see on Hebrews 8-10).

Further, it was the law which, when Moses delivered it, his face shone so
he had to wear a veil (vv 7,13). But Ex. 34:27-35 shows this happened when
he delivered the Ten Commands. So the old covenant that passed away included
the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

#5. Galatians chapters 3-5

We are not under the law.

4:21 - Paul spoke to those who desired to be under the law.
So "under" law here means subject to it or under obligation to
obey it, not under condemnation (see 4:4). (Cf. 1 Cor. 9:20,21; Matt. 8:9;
Rom. 3:19.) He contrasts being under the law to salvation by faith in Christ
under the gospel (1:11,12; 3:26-28).

3:24,25; 5:18 - The law was a tutor to bring us to Christ. But now that
faith in Christ has come, we are no longer under the tutor.
I.e., we are not under the law (5:18). We are freed, not just from
condemnation, but from the law itself, which was the tutor.

5:1-6 - So those who seek to be under the old law (4:21) are entangled in
a yoke of bondage (v1), Christ profits them nothing (v2), and
they are estranged from Christ (v4). They are fallen
from grace (v4). [Attempting to be justified by law - 5:4 - was
already defined as seeking to be under the law - 4:21.]

What law are we not under?

3:16,17 - It is the law given 430 years after the promise to Abraham.
Ex. 12:41 shows this refers to when Israel left Egypt. Hence, this is the
covenant - one covenant - given at Mt. Sinai (Gal. 4:24),
which we have seen includes the Ten Commands.

3:10 - The law refers to "all things written in the book of the
Law." But Hebrews 9:18-20 and Ex. 24:3-8 show that this included
the Ten Commands.

5:3 - If we obey part of the law, we are debtors to keep the whole
law. The law is a whole. You cannot divide it into parts and then take part
and leave part. You must take it all or none. If we seek to be under any of
it as law, we fall from grace (5:2,3,4).

Additional points

Galatians 3:19 - The law was added till the seed should come.
That seed was Christ (3:16). When He came and fulfilled the law (including
hanging on the tree for us - 3:13,14), then the law ceased.

Why does Paul focus mainly on circumcision? Because it was the initiation
sign of the covenant (Genesis 17). Paul's point is that binding
circumcision requires people to keep the whole law. But it follows that, if
no one is now obligated to keep the fundamental sign of the covenant, then
we are free from all of the covenant (5:1-6). Cf. Acts 15.

The law resulted in a curse, because it showed men were sinners but could
not remove the guilt (3:10; 2:16).

#6. Romans 7:1-6

We are delivered from the law.

Again Paul contrasts the gospel to the Old Testament. The law showed men
were guilty of sin (3:20,23). But God did not want all men lost, so He
offered the gospel (1:16).

7:2,3 - Illustration: a woman is bound to her husband as long as he
lives, so if she marries another man she is an adulteress. She can remarry
only if her husband has died.

7:4-6 - Likewise, we are dead to the law and delivered from it
(discharged - ASV; released - NASB), just like the woman was released
from the law of the dead husband (v2). We are delivered from the law itself,
not just from condemnation or traditions about the law.

When the husband dies, the woman can be joined to a different man; so we
are now joined to Christ. We are not subject to both the Old Testament
and the law of Christ. We have a different law, just like the
woman has "another man." Following both laws at once would be
spiritual adultery, like the woman having two husbands at once!

So we are "not under the law" - 6:14.

From what law were we delivered?

7:7 - It is "the law" that commanded, "You shall not
covet" (v7). But this is the Ten Commands. So, the law that was removed
includes the Ten Commands and therefore the Sabbath.

[Other verses show that the "law" discussed in Romans includes
the 10 Commands: 2:17-23; 3:21 - Law and the Prophets. When Sabbatarians
use 7:7,12 to argue that the 10 Commands that are holy, just, and good, they
acknowledge that "the law" in 7:4-6 includes the 10 Commands.]

Other points:

The law was not sin but "holy, just, and good (vv 7,12) when viewed
from the purpose for which God gave it: to reveal sin, regulate sin, and
lead people to realize their need for Christ. But the law was deficient in
that it could not completely remove sin, when compared to the New Testament
(Heb. 10:1-18).

#7. Ephesians 2:11-16

Jesus abolished the law of commandments

Formerly, Gentiles had been separated from the covenant relationship with
God that Israelites had enjoyed. By His death, Jesus made peace between Jew
and Gentile.

To do this, Jesus had to abolish the law of commandments,
which was a "middle wall of division" and a source of
"enmity" between Jew and Gentile. That law had been given only to
the Jews. As long as the law continued in effect, it created enmity between
Jew and Gentile by demonstrating a fundamental distinction in their
relationship to God. The only way for God to grant favor to men of every
nation and make peace between Jew and Gentile would be to remove that law
(cf. Gal. 3:28; Acts 10:34,35; Matt. 28:19; etc.).

If we try to bind the Old Testament today, we re-establish enmity and
build again the wall of partition that Jesus died to destroy. We attempt to
defeat the death of Christ!

What law was abolished?

The law that Jesus abolished was the one that constituted a wall of
division and source of enmity between Jew and Gentile. That included the Ten
Commandment and the Sabbath, because God gave them to the Jews as part of
their special covenant status. Specifically, the Sabbath was a sign of God's
special relation with Israel (Ex. 31:13-17).

Had Jesus left the Ten Commands or the Sabbath in effect, He would have
left a barrier between Jew and Gentile. To make peace between Jew and
Gentile and to offer eternal life on an equal basis to all, God had to
remove the whole law, including the Sabbath and the Ten Commands.

Did the Ten Commands and the Sabbath constitute "ordinances."

The law Jesus removed was the law contained in "ordinances"
(Eph. 2:15 - or the "handwriting of ordinances" - Col. 2:14).
Some claim the 10 Commands and the Sabbath were not "ordinances,"
so Jesus did not remove them.

We have repeatedly shown that the law God removed did include the Ten
Commands and the Sabbath. But note the word "ordinance."

2 Kings 17:37 - God wrote "ordinances," along
with statutes and commandment. But He wrote on the tables of stone: the Ten
Commands, including the Sabbath.

Deuteronomy 4:1,5,8,14,45; 5:1 - God gave "judgments"
("ordinances" - ASV) to Israel. These included the Ten Commands
in 5:1ff. V8 refers to "all this law" as "statutes and
judgments" or "ordinances."

Exodus 24:3,4 - Moses spoke "all the words of the Lord,"
including the "judgments." These constituted the covenant (vv 7,8)
that the people agreed to keep. But we proved that covenant included the Ten
Commands and the Sabbath (20:1ff; 21:1; 23:12).

Acts 16:4 - The word for "ordinance" in Eph. 2:15 and Col.
2:14 (Greek dogma) is also used in Acts 16:4 to
refer to moral precepts ("decrees") listed in 15:28,29 which are
repeated from the Old Testament in the gospel. So "ordinances"
include moral decrees, which is what Sabbath-keepers claim the Ten Commands
and Sabbath were.

The attempt to claim "ordinances" were removed, but other laws
or commands were not removed, is based on an artificial distinction without
Scriptural basis. The "law of commandments contained in
ordinances" that Jesus removed included the Ten Commands and the
Sabbath.

[The Heb. word for "ordinance" is MISHPAT. It is always
translated "ordinance" in the ASV. The KJV translates it
"ordinance" or "judgment."]

#8. Colossians 2:13-17

This context is many ways parallel to Ephesians 2.

Jesus wiped out the handwriting of requirements (ordinances).

Paul tells uncircumcised Gentiles (v13) not to allow people to
condemn them for not keeping the Old Law (v16). The reason is that
Christ wiped out the handwriting of requirements
(ordinances) and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.

(Again, the law was "against" men in that it showed they
were guilty of sin but could not forgive them.)

What "requirements" were wiped out?

Note 2:16 - The law that was removed specifically included the laws
regarding foods, holy days, and the Sabbaths (which was
one of the Ten Commands).

Since the word for "Sabbath" here is plural, some claim it
refers to days of rest associated with annual feast days, not the
seventh-day Sabbath. However:

* "Sabbaths" is often plural in the original yet clearly
refers to the seventh day:

Matthew 28:1 - Now after the Sabbath [plural with no
article just as in Col. 2:16]*.

Luke 4:16 - Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day
[plural with an article].

Acts 13:14 - They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day
[plural with an article]

Acts 16:13 - On the Sabbath day men went to a place of prayer
[plural with an article].

See other Old Testament examples below referring to holy days, new
moons, and Sabbaths.

[See also Mark 1:21; 3:2,4; 16:1; Luke 4:31; 6:2,9.]

[Note that all above cases are plural; some have a definite article
and one does not.]

* Some passages use the plural and singular forms interchangeably,
all referring to the seventh day.

Matthew 12:1-14 - "Sabbath" is used as follows: v1 -
plural with article, v2 - singular no article, v5a - plural with
article, v5b - singular with article, v8 - singular with article,
v10 - plural with article, v11 - plural with article, v12 -
plural with article. Five times the word is plural and three times
singular, but all refer to the seventh-day Sabbath!

* In the Ten Commands in Ex. 20:8 and Deut. 5:12, the plural is
used in the Greek Septuagint, identically to Col. 2:16.
Altogether, the New Testament uses the word "Sabbath"
(singular and/or plural) about 60 times. Not one instance can be
shown to exclude the weekly Sabbath.

So what proof is there that "Sabbaths" does not include
the seventh day in Colossians 2:16?

In fact, Col. 2:16 lists the Sabbath separately from the new moons
and the feast days purposely to specify the seventh day in addition
to the feast days.

This is exactly the same as is done in Old Testament verses. Examples
are:

1 Chronicles 23:31 - on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the
set feasts

2 Chronicles 2:4 - on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set
feasts

2 Chronicles 8:13 - the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the ... yearly
feasts

2 Chronicles 31:3 - the Sabbaths and the New Moons and the set feasts,
as it is written in the Law of the Lord.

Nehemiah 10:33 - the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts

Ezekiel 45:17 - the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths

Colossians 2:16 - So let no one judge you ... regarding a festival
[feast day - ASV] or a new moon or sabbaths.

[See also Lev. 23; Num. 28,29; Ezek 46:4-9; Hos. 2:11.]

Each case above follows a similar formula to identify the weekly,
monthly, and annual holy days. They are all listed and distinguished from
one another. Since the verses also list the annual holy days, the
"Sabbaths" must refer to the seventh day in all the cases.

Further, "Sabbaths" is plural in all the Old Testament cases as
in Col. 2:16! The use of the plural does not prove "Sabbaths"
refers to annual holy days. Rather, it proves the reference is to the
seventh day, just as was repeatedly done in the Old Testament!

Col. 2:14-16 specifies that the seventh-day Sabbath has been wiped out,
taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross. We are not expected to keep
it any more than dietary laws or holy days.

[Note: If some claim that "Sabbath" here has no definite
article, note that Matthew 28:1 is plural with no article just like
Colossians 2:16. And all the following examples also are without the
definite article (singular number) yet refer to the seventh day Sabbath:
Matthew 12:2; 24:20; Mark 6:2; Luke 6:1,6; 14:1; John 5:9,10,16;
7:22,23a,23b; 9:14.]

[If some claim that the word "ordinances"
("requirements" - NKJV) in v14 proves the reference is not to
the Sabbath or Ten Commands, see notes on Ephesians 2 above.]

#9. Matthew 5:17,18

The law would be removed when it was fulfilled.

Not one jot or tittle would pass from the law till all was fulfilled.

Some say Jesus did not come to destroy the law, and it would stand till
heaven and earth pass away, so the old law is still binding. (Some add to
this that Jesus magnified the law and made it honorable - Isaiah 42:21.)

But not one jot or tittle would pass away till all
was fulfilled. If the law is still in effect, then the whole law
still stands (animal sacrifices, circumcision, etc.). This
includes both the law and prophets (v17), even the least commandments
(v19). Remember that "the law and the prophets" is a standard
expression referring to the whole Old Testament (see Part I, #1 above).
Either all has been removed, or none has been removed.

Yet we earlier proved that many Old Testament laws were removed. If so,
this passage cannot mean the Ten Commands and Sabbath are still in effect.
If any of the law is not in effect, it must be because "all" has
been fulfilled, so none is in effect.

Luke 16:17 explains that "till heaven and earth pass away"
means "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away." Hence,
it would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the law to
pass away "till all be fulfilled" (v18). But Jesus
came to fulfill it! So the passage actually teaches that all the law
passed away when Jesus fulfilled it.

"Pass (away)" means to lose force or become invalid.

Compare Matt. 24:34 - This generation would not "pass away"
till all things Jesus prophesied would be fulfilled. When all had been
fulfilled, the generation could pass away. So Matthew 5:17,18 means the
law could pass away when Jesus had fulfilled it.

In Matthew 5:18, what it means for heaven and earth to "pass
away" is what it means for the law to "pass away"
(identical words in Greek). When all is fulfilled, the law could
"pass away."

Matthew 5:17 - The law could not pass away till He fulfilled all, but
He came to fulfill it.

Luke 24:44-47 - All things must be fulfilled that were written in the
law and the prophets concerning Jesus. [John 1:45; Acts 24:14]

Acts 13:29 - All that was written concerning Him was fulfilled.

The law could not pass away till all was fulfilled. We have proved that
some passed away, so all must have been fulfilled. So every jot and tittle
could pass away, including the Sabbath.

A contract can become void illegally by destroying it or legally by
fulfilling it.

If you hire me to build a house for a fee, it would be illegal to destroy
the contract. But if we fulfill the contract (I build the
house and you pay me), it would no longer be binding.

Genesis 6:18,22; 7:5 - God made a covenant to spare Noah if he built
the ark. Noah fulfilled the covenant, so it is no longer in effect.

Genesis 17:9-14; 21:1-4; Leviticus 12:3 - Circumcision was a covenant
between God and Abraham's descendants. The covenant is no longer in effect
(1 Corinthians 7:18-20; Galatians 5:6; 6:15). Did God "destroy"
the covenant? No, but He did remove it.

Matthew 5:17,18 - So God made a covenant with Israel at Sinai,
including the Ten Commands and Sabbath and the whole law. Jesus did not come
to destroy the law (remove it illegally contrary to its provisions). But He
did come to fulfill it and replace it, in harmony with the provisions and
intent of the law itself. He did fulfill it, so it passed away!

What was included in that which was removed?

Jesus fulfilled the law so that it passed away. What did this include? It
included "every jot and tittle" of "the law and the
prophets." That includes the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

If the Ten Commands and Sabbath have not been removed, then none of the
law was removed, so we must still keep it all. If He fulfilled the
"ceremonial law" and removed it, then He also removed the Ten
Commands and the Sabbath. What Jesus did to the law, He did to the whole
law: every jot and tittle.

#10. No New Testament Command to Keep the Sabbath

If the Sabbath is still binding today, why does no New Testament passage
directly command us to observe it? Sabbath keepers offer
evidence it is still in effect but must admit the New Testament nowhere commands
it as the Old Testament did. Why not?

The Old Testament Repeatedly Commanded Sabbath Observance.

This was taught, not just indirectly, but by direct commands and direct
statements.

Exodus 20:8 -10 - Remember the Sabbath ... keep it holy ... you
shall do no work

Deuteronomy 5:1,12-15 - ... be careful to observe them (v1) ... observe
the Sabbath day ... keep it holy (v12) ... you shall not do any work (14)
... the Lord you God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day
(v15)

Jeremiah 17:19-22 - Don't work on the Sabbath, as God commanded
your fathers.

Where does even one such command or direct statement tell anyone to
keep the Sabbath today? If is still binding, why are there no such direct
commands in the New Testament?

[Exodus 16:23-28; 23:12]

The Old Testament Stated Specific Consequences for Sabbath Observance.

There were specific blessings for observing it and punishments for
disobeying.

Exodus 31:14,15 - Everyone who profanes it shall be surely put to
death. Whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people.
Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 35:2 - Whoever does any work on [the Sabbath] shall be put to
death.

Numbers 15:32-36 - God commanded one who picked up sticks on the
Sabbath "must surely be put to death." All the congregation must
stone him with stones.

Many Scriptures repeatedly teach that the Old Law in general is no longer
in effect.

Surely in all this discussion of the law, with so much emphasis on the
fact it is no longer binding, we should be clearly told if the Sabbath law,
important as it was under the law, should be included as part of our service
to God today. If the Sabbath command was repeated as part of the New
Testament, what passage says so? Why is it nowhere clearly stated?

#11. No One Today Really Keeps the Sabbath.

Sabbath keepers claim the Sabbath law is still in effect and binding on
everyone. Yet they themselves do not keep the law, as God gave it.

Sabbath Requirements Often Ignored Today

Sabbatarians often claim that those who do not keep the Sabbath have
changed God's law. They often blame the change on Catholicism. But
consider what keeping the Sabbath according to the law really required. Do
Sabbatarians keep the Sabbath as God ordained? If not, then who really
changed the Sabbath?

Do not cook, build a fire, or pick up sticks

Exodus 35:3 - You shall kindle no fire through your habitations on
the Sabbath day.

Exodus 16:23 - Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest ... Bake what you will
bake today, and boil what you will boil ...

Numbers 15:32-36 - God commanded one who picked up sticks on the
Sabbath "must surely be put to death."

Stay home

Exodus 16:29 - Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out
of his place on the seventh day.

Offer animal sacrifices

Numbers 28:9,10 - The burnt offering for every Sabbath day was two
lambs, etc.

2 Chronicles 24:2 - The burnt offerings on the Sabbaths are an
ordinance forever.

[Neh. 10:33; 2 Chron. 8:12,13; 31:3; Ezekiel 45:17]

Must be observed by servants, animals, and strangers in the city

Deuteronomy 5:14 - In it you shall do no work: you, ... nor your
ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within
your gates, that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well
as you

Exodus 23:12 - ... your ox and your donkey may rest

It follows that the Sabbath law would forbid hiring others to do work
on the Sabbath.

Do not buy or sell

Nehemiah 10:31 - If people bring wares or grain to sell, do not buy
it on the Sabbath.

Set showbread on the table in the tabernacle

Leviticus 24:8 - Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the
Lord continually ... by an everlasting covenant.

Remember that you were a slave in Egypt

Deuteronomy 5:14,15 - The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord
your God. In it you shall ... remember that you were a slave in the land
of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty
hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded
you to keep the Sabbath day.

Kill those who violate the Sabbath

Exodus 31:14,15 - Everyone who profanes it shall be surely put to
death. Whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people.
Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 35:2 - Whoever does any work on [the Sabbath] shall be put to
death.

Numbers 15:32-36 - God commanded one who picked up sticks on the
Sabbath "must surely be put to death." All the congregation must
stone him with stones.

Sabbatarian Arguments Are Inconsistent.

Sabbath keepers ignore many if not most of the above requirements, yet
they claim to keep the Sabbath law.

Sabbath keepers must be consistent.

Galatians 6:13 - Paul said, "For not even those who are
circumcised keep the law..." So those who tried to bind circumcision
on others did not keep the law themselves. This is inconsistent. They
should not criticize others for not obeying the law when they themselves
do not really keep it. [Cf. 2:14]

The same principle applies to those who claim to keep the Sabbath.
Either they must obey all God says about it or else they have no right to
criticize others for not keeping it. How can they truly claim to keep the
Sabbath law if they don't keep it the way God gave it? How can they
honestly criticize others for having changed the law when they themselves
do not keep it the way God gave it?

They may claim that some requirements of the Sabbath law were part of
the "ceremonial law" and were done away. Yet they often use some
of these very passages, especially Exodus 16; 31:13-16, as part of their
argument that the Sabbath is for today. If they use the passages, they
must think they do apply. They can't have it both ways.

If the Sabbath law changed, how do we know what to keep or not keep?

How do we know what work is or is not forbidden? How do we know what
penalty exists?

The fact is that, until Sabbath keepers keep the law as God gave it,
they have no grounds to criticize others for not keeping it.

Many of their arguments are contradicted by the fact they don't keep
these laws.

They say:

"The Sabbath is still in effect, because it is one of the 10
Commands."

But the Sabbath in the 10 Commands requires remembering that you were
slaves in Egypt and God led you out. That's why He commanded them to
keep the Sabbath. Do you remember this? Can you remember it?

"Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

If that means His laws don't change, then all the above
requirements of the Sabbath must still be in effect. None of them have
changed.

"The Sabbath is still binding, because it was perpetual or
everlasting."

But the perpetual command said those who violated it must be killed
- Exodus 31:14-16 (note "therefore").

And the showbread was to set out every Sabbath as an everlasting
covenant (Leviticus 24:8).

And sacrifices were to be offered on the Sabbath as an ordinance
forever (2 Chronicles 2:4).

"The Sabbath was not done away, since it was kept before
Sinai."

But the part given before Sinai required no cooking but staying home
- Exodus 16:23,29.

"The Catholic church changed the Sabbath."

But they themselves do not keep the Sabbath as God gave it. Is Catholicism
responsible for that?

The Bible evidence regarding the Sabbath may be summarized as follows:

1) No people were ever commanded or instructed to observe the Sabbath day
except the nation of Israel (including strangers living in their land and
Gentile proselytes who chose to practice Judaism).

2) No people were ever commanded or instructed to observe the Sabbath day
before Moses gave instructions to Israel about the Sabbath, nor were any
people ever commanded or instructed to observe the Sabbath after Jesus'
death and resurrection.

The Sabbath command was
given only to Israel (as above) and was in effect only from the time of Moses'
teaching till the time Jesus died on the cross.

Part II. Evidence the Ten Commands & Sabbath Are Still Binding

Verses previously studied prove the whole law was removed, including the 10
Commands. We have learned that the Old Covenant has ceased to be binding. That
would include all Old Testament practices unless it can be shown by the
Scriptures that God intended for certain laws to continue. It is improper to
just assume without proof that certain laws are still in effect and others are
not.

Consider some rules people sometimes suggest for making such distinctions:

#1. Law of God vs. Law of Moses; Moral law vs. Ceremonial law

Some say God spoke the Ten Commands (including the Sabbath), so these are
the "Law of God," "Moral law" (or "spiritual
law"); this is still binding. But Moses spoke other Old Testament
commands, so these are the "Law of Moses," "Ceremonial
law," and these are what was removed.

What Scriptural proof is there that these distinctions are valid?

How do we know that only the law of Moses or ceremonial law was done
away, but not the law of God, etc.? What Scripture tells us which laws
are included in the "law of God," so they remain in effect,
and which laws are "ceremonial," so they were removed? (Note
that the terms "moral law" and "ceremonial law" are
nowhere mentioned in the Bible.)

The Sabbath, for example, was one of the Ten Commands, so some claim
it is "moral" and the "Law of God," so it continues
today. But it is also listed in other parts of the Old Testament besides
the Ten Commands and in contexts with laws that have been done away (Ex.
31:13ff; Lev. 19:3&30). In Leviticus
23:1-44 the Sabbath is listed right along with other feast days that
are no longer in effect, so why doesn't this prove the Sabbath was
"ceremonial," so it was done away? Wherein is the Sabbath any
less "ceremonial" than these other feasts, many of which
included sabbath rests?

Further, those who seek to practice the Sabbath as "moral
law" and the "Law of God", usually also practice tithing,
instrumental music, and even dietary laws. But these are not in the Ten
Commands, nor is their nature any more "moral" than other
"ceremonial" laws which have been done away. So, these folks
violate their own distinction and apparently just "pick and
choose" which laws to bind.

The Law of Moses and the Law of God are the same, not different.

The Bible shows that the law of God and the law of Moses are just different
terms for the same law, and the law of God included things that
have clearly been done away. For example:

Nehemiah 8:1,8,14 - Here
the same "book of the law" is called the book of the law of
Moses (v1) and the book of the law of God (vv 8,18). God commanded it by
Moses (v14), so both terms refer to the same law.

Luke 2:21-24,39 - The same law is called the law of Moses (v22) and
the law of the Lord (vv 23,24,39). And this law was a purification rite,
including animal sacrifices, which was clearly done away (cf. Lev.
12:2-8). So, the law of the Lord is the same as the Law of Moses, and it
contains things that were done away.

Luke 24:44 Jesus said that "all things must be fulfilled which
were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me." He fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy of the
Messiah. Note that Moses writings are here called "the Law of
Moses," but that includes everything Moses revealed from God,
including the Ten Commands.

2 Chronicles 31:2-4 - The law of God included animal sacrifices, new
moons, and feast days.

There is no distinction between the law of God and the law of Moses.
It was God's law because He originated it, but it was the law of Moses
because it was revealed through him (Neh. 10:29). This is true also of
the Ten Commands and the Sabbath (Deut. 5:1ff; John 7:18,19; Ex. 24:3-8;
35:1-3; 16:22-30; 31:12-17; Neh. 9:14; cf. Mk. 7:10 to Matt. 15:4).

Likewise, the Bible nowhere distinguishes moral law that continues
from ceremonial law that ended. This whole distinction is a man-made
rule having no sanction from God (Matt. 15:9; Gal. 1:8,9; 2 John 9-11).

Deuteronomy 31:24-6 - Book of Covenant distinguished from the 10
Commands

Some distinguish the two tablets placed in the ark from the Book of the
Covenant (or Book of the Law) placed beside the ark (Deut. 31:24-26). But
the 10 Commands were included in both!

See Part I #1 above.

#2. Laws Given Before Moses vs. Laws Given through Moses

Some say that the laws Jesus abolished were the ones originally taught by
Moses, but laws given before Moses continue (including the Sabbath, which
was given at creation - Gen. 2:2,3).

Again, where does the Bible say that laws given before Moses are
still binding?

This argument is simply assumed, never proved. What Bible evidence
proves that a law remains in effect if it was first given before Moses?

The passages we studied show that God removed the laws that were
included in the Covenant or law given at Sinai. The 1o Commands and the
Sabbath were included in the covenant or law given through Moses.
Therefore, they were removed when God removed that covenant/law. Simply
stating that laws are still in effect if they were given before Moses
proves nothing. God says He took away all the laws included in the
covenant/law given through Moses.

We agree that many commands first given before Moses are no longer
binding.

This includes:

Animal sacrifices (Gen. 4:4; 8:20; etc.)

Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14)

Unclean animals (Gen. 7:2).

Sabbatarians agree that some or all of these are no longer binding,
yet all were given before Moses. Therefore, the Sabbath would also not
be binding even if it had been given before Moses.

Further, there is no real proof that God bound the Sabbath on men
from creation.

No passage states that Noah, Abraham, Jacob, or any of the patriarchs
kept the Sabbath.

Ezekiel 20:10-12 says God gave Israel the Sabbath as a sign between
Him and them when He led them out of Egypt, and Deut. 5:15 says it was a
memorial of that event (cf. Neh. 9:13,14; Ex. 31:13-17). How could it be
a sign between Him and one nation if everyone since creation had the
same sign? And how could it be a memorial of an event before that event
occurred?

Genesis 2:3 says only that God Himself rested on the seventh day, and
it says that is why He blessed and sanctified it. But that
does not tell when He began to require men
to keep it, nor who was required to keep it. Remember,
Moses wrote Genesis many years after Israel left Egypt and had been
given the Sabbath. He mentions the Sabbath in connection with the
Creation so men would see the purpose of it, not necessarily to tell
when people began to keep it. Similar language is found in Gen. 3:20 and
Matt. 10:4.

Efforts to prove the Sabbath existed before Moses

Some say "remember" the Sabbath (Exo. 20:8) means it began
before Moses.

But when instructing or requesting people to "remember"
something in the future - especially when instituting a memorial to be
observed in the future - "remember" can mean to recall in the
future things that are presently happening or being
instituted. It does not necessarily mean to continue something begun in
the past. Examples:

Exodus 13:3 - In instituting the Passover, Moses told Israel to
"remember" this day in which you went out of Egypt. But it was
just then happening. The meaning was to observe it as a memorial in the
future (vv 9,10). It did not mean for them to continue a past practice.

Genesis 9:9,13-15 - The rainbow would be a sign of the covenant God
made never to again flood the whole earth. God would
"remember" the covenant whenever He saw the rainbow. But the
covenant was just then being made. It was not continuing a past covenant
or practice.

Luke 23:42 - The thief asked Jesus, "Remember me when you come
into your kingdom." But what he wanted remembered was happening
right then, not something from before then.

Luke 22:19 - In instituting the Lord's Supper Jesus said to do this
in "remembrance" of His body and blood. But He had not yet
died.

Likewise Exodus 20:8 is not a command to continue a practice begun in
the past. Rather, it was a command to observe in the future a practice
being instituted in Moses' law.

Some point out the Sabbath was revealed before Sinai in Exodus 16.

This was commanded in connection with instructions for gathering manna.
But this was a command only to the nation of Israel and it was begun by God
through Moses. Nothing here implies the Sabbath was given to any other
nation or to anyone before Moses.

The Passover (Ex. 12) was revealed even before Exodus 16. Yet it was a
memorial given through Moses only to the nation of Israel.

Both the Sabbath and the Passover were memorial holy days given by God
through Moses to the people of Israel. Neither were ever commanded to people
of other nations. No passage says either were practiced by any people before
the time of Moses. And neither are in effect today.

Nothing in these arguments changes the conclusion that no passage
ever describes any people observing the Sabbath before it was commanded
through Moses to the nation of Israel. But even so, laws given
before Moses ended at the cross unless the New Testament includes them as
commands for today.

#3. Everlasting Laws vs. Other Laws.

Some say the Sabbath is still in effect because Exodus 31:16,17 says it
was to be kept "forever," "everlasting,"
"perpetual."

The passage says the Sabbath was a sign only between God and Israel,
so why bind it on anyone else?

And this "everlasting" law required people who violated it
to be killed.

If this law is still in effect today, it must be kept the way it says
to keep it. To fail to do so is to admit it is not really in effect
today.

Old Testament terms "forever," "everlasting,"
etc., do not necessarily mean they have no end.

We can prove this by noting many other practices that God said were
"forever," etc., but which definitely have ceased. Examples
are:

We have earlier given the evidence that all these practices have
ceased, despite the fact they were "forever,"
"everlasting," etc. So, why cannot the Sabbath likewise have
ceased?

"Forever," in these passages refers to an indefinite
period of time - "age lasting."

The context of Ex. 31:13,16 defines this further to mean "throughout
Israel's generations." This expression was also used for many of the
other above practices, and we earlier learned that it proves these
practices, including the Sabbath, have all ceased because Israel's
generations as God's chosen nation have ceased.

All these efforts to justify binding parts of the Old Testament today are
doomed to fail. This conclusion will be confirmed further as we proceed.

#4. Some Claim Jesus and Paul Kept the Sabbath.

Jesus

Luke 4:16; Psalms 40:8; Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 19:16ff - Some say Jesus
kept the law, including the Sabbath, magnified the law, and taught others to
keep the Ten Commands. He is our Lord and example, so we must keep it too.

Jesus lived under the Old Testament law (Gal. 4:4)

So of course He kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16; etc.). The law was not
removed until He died (Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:13-16; Hebrews
9:16,17; Romans 7:4).

Jesus also obeyed - and commanded others to obey - other Old Testament laws.

He taught others to observe all things taught by those who sat in Moses'
seat (Matt. 23:2,3).

Are we today required to do all these because He did them? All these were
in effect till He died, not afterward.

Yes, Jesus magnified, honored, and kept the law - the whole law, not
just the Sabbath and the Ten Commands. The fact that Jesus kept the law no
more proves we should keep it than does the fact that Moses or David kept
it. Of course they kept it. It was in effect till Jesus died.

Paul

Acts 13:14,42,44; 15:20,21; 16:13; 17:1-3; 18:4f - Some say that Paul
attended the synagogues on the Sabbath day, so we should imitate his example
and keep the Sabbath too.

There is no evidence that Paul or any other inspired man observed the
Sabbath as obedience to Divine commandment after Jesus' death.

The passages used to "prove" he did are all referring to
assemblies of unconverted Jews. Not one of these refers to
an assembly of Christians meeting to observe the Sabbath
religiously. No passage anywhere tells Gentiles or Christians to keep the
Sabbath.

We cited several major passages where Paul taught that the law,
including the Sabbath, was removed.

Did he then contradict himself by binding what he taught was not
binding?

See Acts 13:5,14-16ff,42,44; 14:1; 17:1-3; 18:4,5. Jews kept the Sabbath,
as they had for generations (Acts 15:20,21), because they did not believe
the Old Testament had been removed. Their assemblies offered an audience
where Paul could teach people who should have been receptive to the gospel.
But no passage says he attended for the purpose of observing the Sabbath.

Using an opportunity to teach is not the same as observing a religious
day. Apostles taught other times and places too (Acts 5:42; 17:17,22; 19:9f;
20:7,31). Does this make all these times and places that we must observe
religiously?

Almost invariably, after a few teaching sessions, the Jews would evict
Paul from the synagogues. What passage describes him arranging religious
meetings on the Sabbath after the Jews no longer allowed him to teach in the
synagogues? None. So it was the Jews, not Paul, who chose the Sabbath day as
a time to meet; he just used the opportunity they provided.

Likewise, if Sabbatarians will allow us, we will gladly attend their
Sabbath meetings to teach them the truth, but we would not be doing it to
observe the Sabbath. (If they attended our assembly on Sunday to teach us
their views, would that prove they had become Sunday keepers?)

The fact is that there is not one single example of Jesus' true
followers conducting a religious meeting on the Sabbath day after Jesus'
death - not one. Every example of a Sabbath meeting after Jesus'
death is a meeting of unconverted sinners who chose the time to meet because
they did not yet understand or believe the true gospel. It is as wrong to
use them to determine when Christians should meet for worship as it would be
to allow unconverted sinners to determine any other practice for Christians.

The passages nowhere state anything about the Sabbath. Such
"arguments" ignore the entire issue and assume what needs to
be proved.

We have argued that the Sabbath command was given only to Israel (as
above) and was in effect only from the time of Moses' teaching till the
time Jesus died on the cross. This argument is a Sabbatarian attempt to
respond to our evidence by claiming that the Sabbath command applies to
all people throughout the history of the world.

But this argument ignores the entire issue and assumes the very thing
they must prove. They assume that just because people kept God's
commands that the Sabbath command was included. I.e., they assume with no
proof that the Sabbath command did in fact apply to these people, despite
the complete lack of evidence that this was true.

We agree that all these people kept the commands that God gave them to
obey. Noah kept whatever laws God gave him, Abraham kept whatever laws God
gave Him, and we should keep the laws God has given through Jesus in the
New Testament. But we showed (see the introduction) that many commands of
God applied only to certain people and only for a limited time. Where is
the proof that the Sabbath command is included in the commands that were
observed by Noah, Abraham, etc., or in the commands God gave to us today?

Consider some examples.

The force of the Sabbatarian argument is this: Abraham, Noah, etc., kept
the commands of God, and Jesus and His apostles taught Christians to keep
the commands of God. The Sabbath is a command of God, therefore Abraham,
Noah, etc., kept the Sabbath and so should we.

To test the validity of this argument, try a few other commands of God:

* God gave a command to build an ark - Genesis 6:14,22. Abraham kept
God's commands and so should we, so Abraham built an ark like Noah and so
should we.

* God gave a command to sacrifice a son - Genesis 22:2. Noah kept God's
commands and so should we, so Noah sacrificed his son and so should we.

* God gave a command to circumcise sons - Genesis 17:2-14; 21:4. Noah
obeyed God's commands and so should we, so Noah obeyed the command to be
circumcised and so should we.

* God gave a command to observe the Passover - Exodus 12:14-18,24,28.
Noah, Abraham, and Christians should keep God's commands, so Noah and
Abraham kept the Passover and so should we.

The examples demonstrate the fallacy of the argument. The point is that
none of these commands applied to people in general for all time. Their
application was limited to certain people for a certain time. To apply them
to others is to simply teach false doctrine.

Likewise, we have shown that the Sabbath command was limited to certain
people for a certain time. There is no evidence Noah or Abraham kept it, and
no evidence God has instructed Christians to keep it. So general passages
saying people kept commands are irrelevant.

The fact remains that, when the Sabbath command was in effect, numerous
passages plainly required Israelites to observe it. But no passage anywhere
instructs anyone but the nation of Israel (with strangers and proselytes) to
keep the Sabbath, nor does any passage anywhere instruct any people to keep
the Sabbath before Moses gave the instruction to Israel nor any people since
Jesus died on the cross.

The very fact that Sabbatarians make such flimsy, vain arguments as this
one shows that they feel the power of this evidence. If they had a passage
plainly instructing someone to keep the Sabbath before Moses or after Jesus'
death, they would simply produce it. If they had a passage plainly
instructing someone other than Israelites to keep the Sabbath, they would
produce it. The fact they make arguments like this one shows how weak their
evidence really is.

Some passages refer to the Sabbath as the Sabbath of the Lord. Jesus said
He was Lord of the Sabbath. So some argue these expressions mean the Sabbath
is still in effect.

Many other Old Testament practices belonged or pertained to the Lord.

Exodus 12:11; Numbers 28:16 - The Passover was "the Lord's
Passover"

Leviticus 23:4,5,37,39,44 - Like the Sabbath, other feasts were
feasts of the Lord

1 Samuel 1:3 - Levitical priests were priests of the Lord

1 Kings 2:28 - The Tabernacle was the Tabernacle of the Lord.

All these were special and holy to God before Jesus removed the law.
But all the passages studied earlier show they are not in effect under the
gospel.

Note that Isaiah 58:1,2,13; Exodus 20:10; Leviticus 23:38 are all
addressed to the nation of Israel while the law was still in effect. They
were not addressed to Christians today.

No passage after Jesus' death refers to the Sabbath as the
"Lord's Sabbath" nor does it refer to Jesus as "the
Lord of the Sabbath," nor any such expression.

In Matthew 12:8, etc., Jesus was explaining the Sabbath law to Jews
living under the law. As shown under Part III below, the law was in effect
till Jesus died. He lived under it and obeyed it. His ministry was to
Jews, so the people to whom He spoke were subject to the Old Law.

Jews had accused Jesus' and His disciples of violating the Sabbath.
This was a common false accusation. The context discusses whether or not
Jesus and His disciples had violated the Old Testament law that was then
in effect. Nothing here states or implies that the Sabbath would be in
effect on Jesus' disciples under the gospel. That is not under
discussion.

As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus could authoritatively explain the
Sabbath law.

"Lord" means master or ruler. Jesus was claiming that, being
Deity or God in the flesh, He had the right to authoritatively explain any
Divine law, including the Sabbath law. He made a similar point in Matthew
12:6 when He said One greater than the temple was present - i.e., He had
authority over the temple and likewise over the Old Law.

In the next verses, He performed a great healing on the Sabbath. How
could Jesus do a miracle if He had just preached error about the Sabbath
or had justified people who violated it? This proved the authority of His
teaching about the Sabbath, etc. He was "Lord of the Sabbath."

Had the Pharisees recognized His Lordship and authority, they would not
have opposed His explanation of the Sabbath law. That is the point of
Jesus' claim to be "Lord of the Sabbath."

As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus also had the power to remove the
Sabbath.

If He was Lord of it, He had the power to decree when it would cease to
be binding. He did so. He ended it at the cross - Colossians 2:14,16.

Nothing here states or implies anything whatever about Christians
observing the Sabbath when the gospel came into effect after Jesus' death.

Mark 2:27 - The Sabbath Was Made for Man

Some claim this means that God made the Sabbath for man, meaning mankind
- all people in all ages - therefore all people in all ages must observe it.

No passage here or elsewhere says God gave the Sabbath to mankind in
general or required mankind in general to observe it.

This verse says simply "the Sabbath was made for man" (Mark
2:27). As in our notes on "Lord of the Sabbath," Jesus made this
statement in the midst of a discussion with the Jews about what the
Sabbath law required. The discussion had nothing to do with who was
obligated to keep the Sabbath, but rather what constituted violation of
the Sabbath.

"Man" (anthropos) does not necessarily refer to all people
of all nations and all ages (past, present, and future).

Consider a few examples:

Matthew 9:8 - God gave power to do miracles to men (all
men everywhere in all ages?)

1 Corinthians 15:8 - By man came death (by all men,
etc.? - no, just one man, Adam); by man comes the
resurrection (all men, everywhere, etc.? - no, just one man, Jesus)

Hebrews 5:1 - Every high priest is appointed on behalf of men
(all men, everywhere, etc.?)

Ezekiel 20:1 - God gave His statutes (in the Old Testament) which if
a man does them he will live (all men everywhere in all ages
must keep the Old Law?)

The verse discusses the purpose of the Sabbath, not who must observe
it.

In context Jesus was discussing with people who bound human traditions
about the Sabbath thereby creating hardships and problems that the Sabbath
law was never intended to create (for example, that it was wrong to help
sick people on the Sabbath). "The Sabbath was made for man" means
that God made the Sabbath rest to bless and help people, not to create
hardships for them. As "Lord of the Sabbath" (v28), Jesus knew the
proper application of the Sabbath law.

The discussion in the context had nothing whatever to do with how
many people or which people the Sabbath law applied
to. The entire purpose was to explain the intent of the law
for those to whom it did apply. But other verses do tell to whom
the Sabbath law applied and how long it was in effect. We have
studied them under Part I.

Romans 3:31 - Paul Established the Law, Not Making It Void

Some say this proves that the Old Law is still binding and effective as
law today.

But Paul showed in 7:1-7 and many other passages that the law is
removed.

7:1-7 says we are dead to the law and discharged from it like a woman
whose first husband has died. That law includes the Ten Commands (v7).

Part I above cites numerous proofs from Paul that the Ten Commands and
Sabbath are removed from force as law today. Paul does not contradict
himself.

The law in Romans includes much more than the Ten Commands.

3:31 says simply "law." Unless there is proof otherwise, this
includes all the law, not just the Sabbath or Ten Commands.

2:17-20 - "The law" was the law in which the Jews rested.
That included much more than just the Ten Commands.

3:21 refers to it as "the Law and the Prophets" - a
standard description for the whole Old Law, both what Moses wrote and what
the other prophets wrote (see Part I, #1).

If 3:31 means the law is still in effect, then it is all
in effect, animal sacrifices, circumcision, Levitical priesthood, etc.

So again, if the law is binding, then it is all binding - Galatians
5:3. But Sabbatarians do not really believe the whole law is in effect.
They want to keep only parts of the law. So Romans 3:31 does not help
their case.

Paul did not view the law as worthless or false; he respected its true
purpose.

3:31 is not discussing whether or not the law is still in effect on
Christians today. Paul said, "we" establish the law.
But "we" (Paul and us) could not make the law binding or make it
void if we wanted to. That can only be done by God. So 3:31 discusses, not
whether or not the law is binding today, but whether or not we respect the
law for what it did accomplish.

"Make void" (NKJV) is translated "nullify" (NASB),
"make of none effect" (ASV), or "overthrow" (ESV). Paul
did not lack respect for the law, nor did he seek to invalidate or overthrow
the law by rebelling against its teaching. He did not teach that the Old Law
is binding as law today, but neither did he mean that it was untrue,
worthless, or of no value.

To "establish" means to "uphold" (NIV) or recognize
the validity of something. Paul recognized that the law had been revealed
from God and therefore had expressed Divine authority. It had served a valid
need. Paul's teaching did not violate or contradict the teaching of the
law, but rather conformed with and confirmed that teaching. The law was
given by the authority of God. It had its intended purpose and it fulfilled
that purpose. That purpose included preparing people for the gospel
(Galatians 3:24,25). Paul recognized all of this and rebelled against none
of it. The cessation of the law when Jesus died on the cross, as Paul
taught, showed no disrespect whatever for the law, since the law itself
predicted all along that this would happen.

Paul had just said that what he taught was witnessed by the Law and
Prophets (3:21). The Old Law predicted the coming of Jesus and His New
Testament. See Psalm 110:4; Zechariah 6:12,13 with Hebrews 7:11-14; Jeremiah
31:31-34 with Hebrews 8:6-12; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1,6-10 with Luke 24:47; Mark
16:15,16

So 3:31 simply means that Paul's teaching recognized the validity of
the law for the purpose for which God gave it. His teaching agreed with the
provisions of the law, but the law was intended all along to be temporary
and anticipated the fact that the gospel would replace it.

Hebrews 4:9 - A Rest Remains for God's People.

Since vv 4,10 mention the 7th day and God resting, it is argued that the
"rest" that remains for God's people is the seventh-day Sabbath.

Hebrews 4 nowhere instructs people to rest on a specific day.

Nothing is said about when God's people
would rest or how long or how often. Those who
claim this requires people to rest on the 7th day are adding what the
passage does not state. The similarity between God's rest and His people's
rest refers only to the concept of ceasing labor, not regarding when, how
often, or how long.

The common word for "sabbath" means simply "rest"
or "ceasing" - it does not of itself define who, when, how
often, or how long that rest occurs.

"Sabbath" does not necessarily mean a day of
rest, let alone the 7th day. The term is used for different frequencies
and durations of rest. Only the context can tell whether the rest refers
to the 7th day of the week. Here are some examples where the word for
"sabbath" is used to refer to various times and durations of
rest:

Leviticus 16:19-31; 23:31,32 - The day of atonement involved a
sabbath

Leviticus 25:2-8 - The land would keep a sabbath of rest for one year
every 7th year.

Leviticus 26:34,35,43; 2 Chronicles 36:21 - When the people went into
exile, the land would keep its sabbaths. When they went into Babylon the
sabbaths lasted 70 years.

Leviticus 23:24,25,39 - The feasts of Trumpets and Ingathering
involved sabbaths, using a different but related word to the word for the
Sabbath day.

So the word "sabbath" simply refers to a rest or a ceasing.
It could last a day, a year, or many years. It could be once a week, once
every seven years, or some undetermined time. This can only be determined
by context.

But Hebrews 4 does not say how long the rest of v9 would last or when
it would occur. To argue it is the 7th-day Sabbath is to claim what cannot
be proved.

But the standard word for the Sabbath day is nowhere in Hebrews 4:9
anyway.

Chapters 3 & 4 refer several times to "rest" for God's
people, but the word used is not the word for the Sabbath. V9 uses a word
with a similar root as "sabbath," but it is a different word.
The usual word for the Sabbath day (sabbaton) is not used anywhere in
Hebrews 4. The word for "rest" in v9 (sabbatismos) is used only
here, and the context shows that it simply describes rest, not a
particular day of rest.

The translators recognized this distinction and translated accordingly.
Standard translations of 4:9 say God's people will receive a
"rest" (KJV, NKJV) or "sabbath rest" (ASV) or
"Sabbath rest" (NASB, NIV, ESV). No standard translation of v9
says "Sabbath day." They all emphasize the idea of
rest, not the idea of a "day."

Thayer, for example, says the word in Hebrews 4:9 means: "the
blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the
true worshipers of God and true Christians." Thayer is a fallible
human, but the point is that v9 does not use the word for the 7th-day
Sabbath.

To illustrate, consider the difference in English between "Sabbath
day" and "sabbatical." These words have the same root, but
they differ because they refer to different ideas. Both imply a rest or
break, but a "sabbatical" may be of any duration or frequency.
Only context can determine. Likewise, the word in Hebrews 4:9 could refer
to any period of rest, regardless of when it happens, how often it
happens, or how long it lasts. Only the context can tell these things.

The "rest" that remains for us to "enter" is our
eternal reward in heaven.

The context refers to three different "rests."

1) Vv 4,10 refer to God resting on the 7th day when creation was
complete. But vv 9,10 show that the parallel between this and the
"rest" promised to God's people refers simply the idea of resting
or ceasing work. Nothing says God's people here rest on
any particular day.

2) In context, chapters 3 & 4 discuss Israel's failure to enter
the rest God had promised them in Canaan. Note the repeated references to
not "entering" the "rest" - 3:11,18,19; 4:3,5.

This point was first stated in Psalms 95:7-11, which is quoted in
Hebrews 3:7-11 and explained in 3:16-19. God had promised that Israel
would receive "rest" when they "entered" the promised
land of Canaan - Exodus 33:14; Deut. 3:20; 12:9,10; 25:19. But those who
left Egypt under Moses' leadership were disobedient, so God decreed that
they would not enter that rest but would wander in the wilderness forty
years. See Numbers 14:23,28-30; Deut.1:34,35.

Note that none of this had anything to do with the 7th-day Sabbath.
Israel did receive the command to keep the Sabbath day. But Hebrews 3,4
discusses a rest that God promised to them but they did not
enter because of their rebellion against Him in the wilderness.

3) Likewise, the context admonishes God's people today to learn from
Israel's failure. Note 4:1 - As with Israel, the context discusses
a "promise" God's people seek to "enter," not a
command to be observed, remembered, or kept holy. Note again the
repeated references to our "entering" the "rest" God
has prepared - 4:1,3,6,9,10,11.

3:12-15; 4:1-11 explain that, even after Israel finally entered Canaan
under Joshua's leadership, still David had later predicted (in Psalms
95) a "rest" that awaits God's people. We must not imitate
Israel's disobedience or we too will not "enter" the
"rest" that God has for us, but we can enter that rest if we
hold fast to the end.

Just as God promised to give Israel "rest" when they
"entered" Canaan, so He has promised to give faithful
Christians "rest" when we "enter" heaven. Note:

Matthew 11:28,29 - Jesus promised to give "rest" to the souls
of those who labor and are heavy laden, if they will take His yoke upon
them.

Revelation 14:13 - Those who die in the Lord "rest from their
labors," just like Hebrews 4:10. The unfaithful, however, have no
"rest" (v11).

2 Thessalonians 1:7 - The faithful will be given "rest" when
Jesus is revealed from heaven, but those who do not obey the gospel will
receive tribulation, etc. (vv 6,8,9).

Just like Hebrews 4, all these verses promise "rest" to God's
faithful people - a rest that the disobedient do not receive. No one would
think that any of these verses have anything to do with a command to observe
a specific day of the week. And neither does Hebrews 4. We receive rest to
our souls, then eternal rest in heaven. This is a promise -
a blessing we may enter after we have been faithful - not a command
we must obey. The reference to God's rest does not bind a day on us; it
simply means He rested from His work, and someday we too will rest from
ours.

If we can see that the "rest" Israel failed to enter is not the
same as God's 7th day rest, and if we can see that the rest Israel failed
to enter is not the same rest awaiting us, we should be able to see that the
rest awaiting us is likewise similar to, but not the same as, God's 7th
day rest.

Hebrews 9:16,17 - The Testator's Will Must Be Stated before He Dies.

Some argue that the terms of one's will must be determined before the
death of the testator. But no special significance was attached to the first
day of the week before Jesus died, therefore it cannot be concluded that the
first day has any special significance in the New Testament.

Hebrews 9:16,17 says nothing about when the terms of a will are
revealed.

It says only that the testator must die before his will is "in
force" or takes effect. The terms or conditions of the
will must be determined or settled before his death, but that tells
nothing about when those conditions are revealed or made known
to the beneficiaries. It is quite common for a will to be executed by
representatives who make known the terms of a will after the
testator dies, even though those terms were unknown to people beforehand.

The terms of the New Testament were determined from eternity but were
fully revealed by the apostles and prophets after Jesus' death.

1 Peter 1:20; Ephesians 3:10,11 - God's plan for the church and
salvation through Jesus under the gospel was determined from eternity. So
the terms of the New Testament were determined before Jesus' death.

Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 9:31,32; Luke 18:31-34; John 12:16 - Jesus began
revealing some aspects of His Testament when He was alive. But the disciples
were confused about many of His teachings, even after His death and
resurrection. They simply were not ready to accept them.

John 14:26; 16:12-14 - Jesus clearly told the apostles that they would
not be ready to accept many aspects of His teaching until after He died.
Then the Holy Spirit would come to guide them to all truth. When the Holy
Spirit came on Pentecost (a first day of the week), He began guiding the
apostles to reveal the full contents of Jesus' Testament.

Luke 24:25,26,44-49 - Even after His death and resurrection, Jesus
Himself explained many things to the apostles that they were not ready to
understand before His death. When the Holy Spirit came, He revealed still
more.

Luke 10:16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:9-12 - As a
result, when the New Testament apostles and prophets taught by inspiration,
they revealed the will or testament of Jesus, much of which had never been
revealed before Jesus died. This explains why many aspects of Jesus' New
Testament - including the evidence for the first day of the week - were
revealed by the apostles as guided by the Holy Spirit after Jesus died.

James 2:12 - The Law of Liberty

Some argue that the "law of liberty," by which we will be
judged, is the Ten Commands, since v11 cites two of the Ten Commands.

V8 also quotes a passage from Leviticus 19:18.

Is this law also part of the Law of Liberty? If so, then the whole Old
Law is still in effect. Once again, Sabbatarian arguments prove more than
they themselves are willing to accept. Either the whole law is in effect,
or none of it is in effect.

All these commands are also part of the New Testament.

We agree these commands are all in effect today, not because they are
in the Old Testament, but because they are included in the New Testament
(see the illustration of contracts in the introduction; cf. Rom. 7:1-7;
etc.).

Where does James say the Ten Commands as such are in effect today?

Where does he say the Sabbath is in effect today?

Actually, James is simply using these commands to illustrate a
principle which is true of all law (vv 10,11). He then applies the
principle to New Testament commands.

Compare 1 Corinthians 9:9 - Here Paul used a passage from the law of
Moses to illustrate support of preachers. Does this prove the law of Moses
is in effect today? No, Paul just used the old law to illustrate the
application of the New Testament, just as in James 2:11,12.

The Ten Commands can give no liberty. They are simply law; no
forgiveness.

Laws as such simply bind and restrict conduct. Since the law could not
ultimately forgive sin (Hebrews 10:1ff), all that the Old Law -
including the Sabbath and Ten Commands - could do was to bind people in
guilt with no hope of forgiveness.

Romans 3:20 - The law can never justify anyone from sin, because it
had no lasting forgiveness. All it could do was to give the knowledge of
sin - it showed people that they were guilty (3:10-18,23; Galatians
3:19,22,23).

2 Corinthians 3:6-11,17 - What was written and engraved on stones -
the Ten Commands - is a ministry of death, not of liberty (v7). That is
why it passed away (v11). Liberty is found through the spirit of the Lord
(v17).

So the commands of the Old Law, including the Ten Commands, could only
identify sin and bind people in guilt when they disobeyed. What
forgiveness did the Ten Commands give? None. They gave death and bondage,
not liberty. So they passed away, to make way for the gospel!

Liberty comes only under the gospel through Jesus' death that
forgives sins.

John 8:31,32,34,36 - Jesus' word (v31) is the truth that can make
us free (v32) from sin (v34). We are free indeed when the Son makes us
free (v36). But the Son makes us free from sin through His death, which is
the sacrifice of the New Testament (Hebrews 10:9,10; etc.).

Romans 7:2-7 - A woman whose husband has died is "free"
from his law so she can marry another (v3). This illustrates that we are
now delivered from the law (v6). What law? The law that said, "You
shall not covet" - the Ten Commands! The Ten Commands are not the law
of liberty. They are the law from which Jesus freed us!

Romans 8:1-3 - In Christ we are free from the law of sin and death
(v2), so there is no condemnation (v1). The law could not do this (v3).

Galatians 2:4; 5:1 - Those who desire to be under the law (4:21) are
spying out the liberty we have in Christ and would bring us into bondage
(2:4). So we should not yield even for an hour (2:5), but should stand
fast in the liberty by which Christ made us free and refuse to be
entangled again in a yoke of bondage (5:1).

All these passages say liberty is in Christ and His gospel, because
only it provides forgiveness. The Ten Commands offered no forgiveness. So
the perfect law of liberty must be the gospel, not the Ten Commands.

Cf. Luke 4:18; Romans 1:16; 6:7,17,18,22; 1 Peter 1:22-25.

James 1:25 - The law of liberty is perfect. But only the gospel is perfect,
not the Old Law.

If the Ten Commandment law was perfect, why did God give the New
Testament? Why would any other system be needed if what was given was
already perfect? As shown above, the gospel of Christ has done for us what
the law could not do.

Hebrews 7:18,19 - The former command was annulled because it made
nothing perfect, so God brought in a better hope by a better
covenant (7:22). So Christ removed the first covenant and gave us the
second will under which we are sanctified by His sacrifice (10:9,10). That
offering perfects those who are sanctified (10:14).

The gospel is a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6) than
the one God gave to Israel when He led them out of Egypt (8:8,9). That
first covenant was not faultless; if it had been, God would not have given
another covenant (8:7). But that first covenant included the Ten Commands
and has now been removed - See Part I, #1 and notes on Hebrews 8-10 in
Part I, #3. (See also Hebrews 8:6; 9:23.)

There was no perfection before Jesus died. The Ten Commands (and all
the law) were given long before Jesus died. Therefore, perfection is not
through the Ten Commands but through Jesus and the gospel. So "the
perfect law of liberty" refers, not to the Ten Commands, but to the
New Testament.

We will be judged by the teachings of Jesus.

James 2:12 says that law of liberty is what we will be judged by.

But Romans 2:16; John 12:48 say we will be judged by the teachings of
Jesus, the gospel.

Colossians 2:16 says to allow no one to judge us regarding the Sabbath,
etc.

So the perfect law of liberty is the gospel teaching of Jesus, not the
Ten Commands/Sabbath.

6. Evidence from Uninspired History

Some claim that uninspired history proves Christians kept the Sabbath
long after Jesus' death, so we must keep it today. In particular, some
claim that history proves the Catholic Church changed the day of worship
from the 7th day to the first day of the week.

A. Uninspired History Should Never Be Used to Establish Our Practice.

Uninspired history may have some value in confirming the accuracy of
Bible history and geography, in demonstrating the fulfillment of Bible
prophecies, and perhaps even in helping convince people that they need to
study the Bible teaching about some subject. History may also establish
that some specific religious group has taught or practiced error or that
someone has committed some sin.

But uninspired history is seriously misused when people attempt to use
it to determine what our practice should be in serving God.

Uninspired history is fallible and incomplete, so it may be
mistaken.

This necessarily follows from the simple fact that it is made by
uninspired humans. People make mistakes, either through ignorance,
carelessness, or bias. It follows that, if we use history as the basis
for our conclusions about what we should or should not practice, we may
be in error.

Uninspired history can never tell whether God approves or
disapproves an act.

Even if it can be proved that people historically participated in
some practice, history can never tell us how God views that act. Does He
approve or disapprove?

2 Timothy 3:16,17; Titus 1:2,3; Revelation 21:5 - Only God's
inspired word can tell whether He says a practice is right or wrong.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Proverbs 3:5,6; Galatians 1:8-12; 2 John 9-11
- God's word repeatedly warns us not to follow human wisdom in
determining what to do in His service. We must abide in the doctrine of
Christ, which is revealed only in Scripture. Clearly uninspired history
is not the doctrine of Christ. So, it must not be the source of our
doctrine.

What is tradition but the record of past practices handed down
through the years? This is why churches that openly profess to follow
tradition are so constantly studying and citing history. But human
tradition often contradicts Divine truth.

Mark 7:3-9,13; Colossians 2:8 - The Bible condemns following human
authority in general, and tradition in particular, as the standard for
our faith (cf. Matthew 15:9,13). Specifically, Jesus rebuked people for
following human traditions that differed from God's word.

Suppose it could be proved by history that people who claimed to be
Christians did keep the Sabbath after the first century. The fact
remains that many so-called Christians throughout history have seriously
apostatized from the truth, as the New Testament predicts. How would we
know these Sabbath-keepers are not in error, following false teaching
and false teachers? The only way to know that would be by Scripture. So
the end result is that the practice of these people proves nothing about
what we should practice.

Even inspired history describes Christians in the first century -
such as those in Corinth or the seven churches of Asia - who were
deeply involved in practicing error. Specifically, we know from the New
Testament that many Jews claimed to be Jesus' disciples, yet they
bound the Old Law on others, including circumcision and the whole old
law. Surely that would include the Sabbath. And apparently many Gentiles
accepted this teaching. So uninspired history, if it were accurate,
could record that these people kept the Old Law, including circumcision,
the Sabbath, etc. But that would prove only that they did it - not
that they had God's approval.

On the contrary, whole books and whole chapters of the New Testament
were written to prove that these people were wrong, as listed under Part
I above: Acts 15, the books of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews, and major
sections of 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians.

So, uninspired history can never infallibly determine what early
churches practiced; but even if it could, that still would not tell us
whether or not God approved those practices.

Claims of the Catholic Church do not prove or disprove modern
practice.

The argument that the Catholic Church changed worship from the seventh
day to the first day is a weak argument for all the above reasons. Their
history is fallible and may be mistaken. More important, it does not prove
what God approves or disapproves.

For example, the Catholic Church claims they gave us the Bible; so
anytime we follow the Bible, they say we are following teaching they gave
us. Is this true? Not at all. And the same applies to their claim to have
given us worship on the first day of the week.

The fundamental error of Catholicism on this point is that they claim
to be the original church. So they think they originated everything in the
New Testament. This is false. The Catholic Church is not the original
church. It is an apostasy from the first church. It did not exist as a
church till long after the first century.

Specifically, many Catholic teachings contradict the Bible. Why would
they give us a standard of authority that contradicts their practices
repeatedly? They didn't. The Bible was given to us, not by Catholicism,
but by God through inspired men in the first century.

One truth in the Bible is that the Old Law and the Sabbath were removed
and the special day of worship for Christians is the first day of the
week. We have abundantly established this by Scripture with no appeal to
any Catholic teaching or tradition.

Quotes below show that the first day was observed long before the
Catholic Church began.

B. History and the First Day of the Week

Although we adamantly deny that uninspired history should be the basis
for determining our practice today, this does not mean that the practice
of worshiping on the first day of the week suffers at the hands of
history. There is abundant evidence from well-known early Christian
writers confirming that early Christians did worship on the first day of
the week.

This evidence should not be used as the basis of our practice. But it
does prove that people are mistaken when they claim that history confirms
Christians should keep the Sabbath or that the Catholic Church gave us
Sunday worship. Consider:

Ignatius (107 AD)

"If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things
have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but
living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up
again by Him and by His death..." - Epistle to the Magnesians, Chap. 9; www.newadvent.org/fathers/0105.htm;
(6/2011)

Barnabas (120 AD)

"Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day, also,
on which Jesus arose again from the dead." - Epistle of Barnabas,
chap. 15; www.newadvent.org/fathers/0124.htm

Justin Martyr (140 AD)

"And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the
country gather together to one place ... But Sunday is the day on
which we all hold our common assembly, because ... Jesus Christ
our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was
crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the
day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having
appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these
things..." - The First Apology of Justin, chap. LXVII; www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

Note that the context of this quotation describes this Sunday assembly
including teaching from the Scriptures, prayer, the Lord's Supper, and the
collection.

Bardesanes (180 AD)

"Wherever we are, we are all called after the one name of Christ-
Christians. On one day, the first of the week, we assemble ourselves together
... " - The Book of the Laws of Various Countries; www.newadvent.org/fathers/0862.htm

Tertullian (200 AD)

It follows, accordingly, that, in so far as the abolition of
carnal circumcision and of the old law is demonstrated as having
been consummated at its specific times, so also the observance of
the Sabbath is demonstrated to have been temporary... But the Jews
are sure to say, that ever since this precept was given through
Moses, the observance has been binding. Manifest accordingly it
is, that the precept was not eternal nor spiritual, but temporary,
which would one day cease... Whence it is manifest that the force
of such precepts was temporary ...and that it was not with a view
to its observance in perpetuity that God formerly gave them such a
law. - An Answer to the Jews, Chap. 4, "Of the
Observance of the Sabbath";
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0308.htm

In chap. 2 he argues that Adam, Abel, Noah, Enoch, etc., none of them kept
the Sabbath. He also argues these same points at length in his writing Against
Marcion, Book V, here:

Peter of Alexandria (306 AD)

Eusebius (324 AD)

Regarding the patriarchs before the flood, he says:

"They did not, therefore, regard circumcision, nor observe
the Sabbath, neither do we; neither do we abstain from
certain foods, nor regard other injunctions, which Moses
subsequently delivered to be observed in types and symbols,
because such things as these do not belong to Christians." - Ecclesiastical History,
Book I, chap. IV (pp 26,27 in my personal copy)

Regarding "the Heresy of the Ebionites":

"They also observe the Sabbath and other discipline of the
Jews, just like them, but on the other hand, they also
celebrate the Lord's days very much like us, in
commemoration of his resurrection." - Ecclesiastical
History, Book III, chap XXVII (p113 in my copy)

(So some who claimed to be Christians observed both the 7th-day
Sabbath and the first day of the week, but Eusebius viewed them as
heretics. Those who were not heretics kept the Lord's day in
commemoration of Jesus' resurrection, but not the Sabbath.)

Philip Schaff

"The Lord's Day took the place of the Jewish Sabbath as
the weekly day of public worship. ... The day was transferred from
the seventh to the first day of the week ... Thus the first day
was already in the apostolic age honorably designated as 'the
Lord's Day.' On that day Paul met with the disciples at
Troas and preached till midnight. On that day he ordered the
Galatian and Corinthian Christians to make, no doubt in connect
with divine service, their weekly contributions ... It appears,
therefore, from the New Testament itself, that Sunday was observed
as a day of worship ... The universal and uncontradicted Sunday
observance in the second century can only be explained by the fact
that it had its roots in apostolic practice..." - Philip
Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. I, Chapter
IX, par. 57 (pp. 221,222 in my copy)

"The celebration of the Lord's day in memory of the
resurrection of Christ dates undoubtedly from the apostolic age.
Nothing short of apostolic precedent can account for the universal
religious observance in the churches of the second century. There
is no dissenting voice. This custom is confirmed by the
testimonies of the earliest post-apostolic writers as Barnabas,
Ignatius, and Justin Martyr. It is also confirmed by the younger
Pliny. The Didache calls the first day 'the Lord's Day of the
Lord.' ..."
"The fathers did not regard the Christian Sunday as a
continuation of, but as a substitute for, the Jewish Sabbath, and
based it not so much on the fourth commandment, and the primitive
rest of God in creation ... as upon the resurrection of Christ and
the apostolic tradition..."

"We see then that the
ante-Nicene church clearly distinguished the Christian Sunday from
the Jewish Sabbath, and put it on independent Christian
ground...." - Philip Schaff, History of the Christian
Church, Vol II, Chapter V, par. 60 (pp. 94,95 in my copy)

Note that we have documented general observance of the first day long before
the beginning of the Catholic Church. Again, our practice should be established
by Scripture, not inspired history. And we do not necessarily agree with all of
these men doctrinally, but they do confirm historically that the first day of
the week, not the 7th day, was observed by early Christians.

(When people offer historical evidence that early Christians kept the
Sabbath, these references usually fall into one of several categories: (1)
misquotations and misunderstandings, (2) quotations from apostate groups who
kept both the Sabbath and the first day, as mentioned by Eusebius, or who had
special activities on the 7th day during the weeks preceding their observance of
Easter, (3) quotations from those who refer to the first day of the week as the
"Christian Sabbath." Rare indeed are quotations from those who truly
attempted to observe the 7th day but not the first day.)

Part III: Evidence We Should Obey the Gospel and Observe the First Day of
the Week

Some people ask, "If the Ten Commands were removed, wouldn't that
make it all right to steal, lie, murder, etc.?" So consider what the
Bible says about the law we today should follow.

#1. Today We Must Obey the New Testament Commands.

Jesus Not Only Removed the Old Covenant, He Replaced It with the New.

The reason the Old Covenant is not needed now is that a different law has
taken its place.

Hebrews 10:9,10 - Jesus took away the first will that He might
establish the second. It is a new covenant not like
the one made with Israel at Sinai (8:6-9). (Cf. 7:22; 2 Cor. 3:6.)

Romans 7:4 - We are freed from the law that we might be joined to
Christ.

Galatians 3:24-27 - The law was a tutor to bring us to Christ.
Now that the gospel system of faith has come, we are no longer under the
tutor (cf. 1:11,12).

An illustration: The area we now call the United States was once under
British law, then under the Articles of Confederation, and now is under the
Constitution. Similarly, God gave people first the patriarchal rule, then
the laws at Sinai, and now the gospel or New Testament.

People today are no more subject to the Old Covenant than Americans are
subject to the Articles of Confederation. But we are still subject to law
- the laws contained in the New Testament.

Please read again the illustration of man-made covenants as discussed in
our introduction. When a covenant is replaced by a subsequent covenant, no
terms of the expired covenant are in effect.

This Change Occurred as a Result of the Death of Jesus.

Colossians 2:14 - He removed the first ordinances nailing them to His cross.

Ephesians 2:13-16 - He abolished the law through His blood
shed on the cross (vv 13,16).

Hebrews 9:16,17 - As with any will or testament, Jesus had to die
to bring His testament into force.

The old law was in effect until Jesus died, then it was replaced by the
New Covenant.

(Cf. Gal. 3:13; Rom. 7:4)

The New Testament also Contains Commands and Laws We Must Obey.

Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus possesses all authority so we
must obey all His commands.

1 Corinthians 14:37 - The message written by the New Testament apostles
and prophets are the commands of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:20,21 - Though Paul was not under the law of the Jews,
he was not without law but was under law to Christ.

James 1:18,25 - The gospel is the perfect law of liberty,
by which we will be judged.

God removed the old law, not so we might be without law, but so we would
serve Him under the terms of the New Testament. There are commands for us to
obey, but these are the commands of the New Testament, not those of the Old
Testament.

The New Testament Applies to All People Everywhere.

We have seen that the covenant God gave through Moses applied only to the
nation of Israel. The parties to that covenant were God and just one nation.
However, the new covenant of Jesus is far more universal. It applies to all
people of all nations everywhere in the whole world.

Matthew 28:19 - Go teach all nations.

Mark 16:15 - Go into all the world and preach the gospel
to every creature.

Luke 24:47 - Repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all
nations.

Acts 17:30 - God now commands all men everywhere to
repent.

1 Timothy 2:4,6 - Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time. Therefore, God wants all men to come to know the gospel, so
they can be saved (v4).

Colossians 1:6,23 - In the first century, the gospel was preached in
"all the world" to the "whole creation."

So unlike the covenant made through Moses (and all previous covenants),
the gospel new covenant specifics terms that must be met by all to be saved.

The New Testament Will Never Be Replaced by Any Law on Earth.

We have learned that, even while the Old Testament was in effect, God had
plans to eventually replace it. Will the New Testament likewise be replaced
by some other system of commands for men on earth?

2 Corinthians 3:6-11 - The first covenant passed away so that it could
be replaced by that which remains (does not pass away).

Hebrews 12:26-28 (cf. vv 18-29) - The Old Testament predicted that the
law given at Sinai would be shaken (removed) that it might be replaced by
another (the New Testament). But from the perspective of the Old Testament,
this removal would happen only "once more." It would be replaced
by a kingdom which cannot be shaken but will remain.

Jude 3 - The gospel faith was delivered to the saints once
("once for all" - NKJV, ASV). This word "once" is the
same word used for Jesus' death in contrast to animal sacrifices (Heb.
10:10-14; 7:27; 9:12,25-28).

One reason the Old Testament had to be replaced was that it had animal
sacrifices that had to be offered repeatedly because they could not
permanently remove guilt. Because Jesus' sacrifice was perfect, it does
not need to be repeated or replaced. Likewise, the gospel was given to men
"once." It is God's last word to man. It is so perfect, it will
never by changed nor replaced by God while the world stands. (cf. James
1:25; 1 Cor. 13:8-13).

The New Testament has the sacrifice of Jesus, which can remove all sins
so they are remembered no more. This sacrifice was offered by the sinless
and eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself (Heb. 10:1-18; 7:11-28; 8:6-9;
9:11-28; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:15,16).

#2. Some New Testament Commands Are Similar to Old Testament Commands, but Others Are Not.

Nine of the Ten Commands Are Repeated in the New Testament.

Note the evidence that most of the commands are included in the New
Testament.

1. No God but Jehovah - 1 Corinthians 8:4; Acts 14:15

2. No graven images - Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:22,23; 1 John 5:21

3. Don't take God's name in vain - James 5:12

4. Remember the Sabbath - This command is the only one of the ten which
is nowhere repeated in the New Testament. The only Sabbath rest promised in
the New Testament is eternal life (Heb. 4:9-11).

5. Honor your parents - Ephesians 6:2,3

6. Don't kill - Romans 13:8-10

7. Don't commit adultery - Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

8. Don't steal - Romans 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:28

9. Don't bear false witness - Revelation 21:8; 22:15; Colossians 3:9

10. Don't covet - Romans 13:8-10; Ephesians 5:3.

We obey the commands that were repeated in the New Testament, not because
they were in the Old Testament, but because they are in the Old Testament.

Compare Romans 7:2-6 - One woman is not subject to the authority of two
husbands at once. If her first husband dies, the expectations of her second
husband may in some ways he similar to those of her first husband, but they
may be different in other ways. But the expectations of the first husband are
no longer binding on the woman. If she does things similar to what she used to
do, it is because the second husband wants them, not because the first husband
wanted them.

Likewise, we are under the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant (including
the Ten Commands). The laws are in some ways similar and in some ways
different (cf. Heb. 8:9). But none of the requirements of the First Covenant
have any power at all now. Wherever the laws are different, we follow the
second covenant, not the first. Wherever the laws are similar, we obey, not
because the first law said to, but because the New Covenant says to.

Specifically Our Special Day of Worship Is the First Day of the Week,
Not the Seventh.

Many major New Testament events occurred on the first day of the week.

* On the first day of the week Jesus arose from the dead (Mark 16:9;
Matt. 28:1,6; etc.).

* On the first day of the week Jesus first appeared to men to prove He
had been raised (John 20:19; Mark 16:2,9; Matt. 28:1,6-10; etc.). Note that,
according to Scripture records, the second day on which Jesus appeared to
people was also a first day of the week (John 20:26ff).

* On the first day of the week the Holy Spirit came on the apostles, the
gospel was first preached as being in effect, people first obeyed the
gospel, and the church began. All this occurred on Pentecost, which was a
first day of the week (Acts chap. 2; cf. Lev. 23:15,16).

All these major events occurred on the first day of the week. What event
of major New Testament significance after Jesus' death ever occurred on
the seventh day of the week? None - not one! So it should not surprise us
to see that the first day of the week has special significance in the
worship of the New Testament church.

In the New Testament, Christians took up the collection and met for the
Lord's Supper on the first day of the week.

1 Corinthians 16:1,2 - The church was commanded to take up the collection
on the first day of the week. What passage tells the church to take up
collections on the seventh day or any other day of the week?

Acts 20:7 - The church assembled regularly to partake of the Lord's
Supper (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:17,18,20). When did they so this? The
passage says "on the first day of the week." What passage here or
anywhere else tells the New Testament church to partake of the Lord's Supper
on the seventh day or any other day of the week? And note that "the first
day of the week" cannot possibly be the same as the "seventh day of
the week."

Some say "break bread" in Acts 20:7 refers to a common meal. But
"break bread" is a common term for the Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:26;
Mark 16:22; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23,24; Acts 2:42). We know Acts 20:7
refers to the Lord's Supper because the context clearly shows this was a
worship assembly. And Paul, who preached on this occasion, had already taught
that only the Lord's Supper, not common meals, should be eaten in the
worship assembly (1 Cor. 11:17-34).

The significance of the day is also implied by the fact Paul waited 7 says
to meet on the first day with the disciples (vv 6,7). But he was in a hurry
(v16), so much so that he left at daylight the next day even though he had
been up all night with the church (v11).

Note further that, if the church had met on the seventh day of the week to
break bread, Paul could have saved all this trouble and left a day earlier. If
the seventh day is the special day for Christian worship, and the first day
has no significance, why is the first day mentioned but the seventh day is
not? And why did Paul go to so much trouble to meet with the church on the
first day instead of the seventh day?

Sabbath-keepers sometimes belittle the evidence that the first day of the
week should be special to Christians. But when one observes the New Testament
"proof" offered for keeping the seventh day, he sees by comparison
how much evidence there is for the first day. If Sabbath keepers had verses
talking about the seventh day like Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor. 16:1,2 and other
passages talk about the first day, you can be sure they would consider them to
be very convincing proof!

We do not say the first day of the week is the "Christian
Sabbath." A Sabbath is a day of rest and no New Testament passage tells
us to rest on the first day or any other particular day. There is no
"Christian Sabbath." But the first day is a special day of worship,
on which we do acts of worship that are authorized for no other day.

The only day authorized for the New Testament church to have the Lord's
supper and the collection is the first day of the week. No passage anywhere in
the Bible authorizes Jesus' church to do these things on the seventh day or
any other day of the week.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches that the entire Old Testament law was removed by God
Himself. None of it is binding today as law or as authority for any religious
practice. This includes the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

We now live under the New Testament. Every practice for the church must be
authorized by the gospel. If no authority can be found in the New Testament
for a practice, then it should be abandoned regardless of whether or not it
was practiced in the Old Testament.

Why does it matter?

* Whether or not we should observe a whole host of practices depends
entirely on whether or not we are subject to the Old Testament: the
seventh-day Sabbath, animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood,
circumcision, special holy days, burning incense, tithing, instrumental music
and dancing in worship, etc. Each of these practices is authorized in the Old
Testament, but not in the New. If the Old Law is no longer in effect, then
none of these practices is authorized for Christians today.

* So important was this issue to Christians in the New Testament that they
conducted a major meeting in Jerusalem to discuss the issue (Acts 15;
Galatians 2) and wrote several inspired books primarily to discuss the issue
(Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews) as well as parts of other books (2
Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians).

* Jesus died to give us this better covenant. To return to the Old
Testament would defeat a major purpose of His death.

* Inspired writers concluded that the New Testament is better than the Old
in all the following ways. It has:

A better hope - Hebrews 7:19

A better covenant - Hebrews 7:22; 8:6

A more excellent ministry established on better promises - Hebrews 8:6

Better sacrifices - Hebrews 9:23

Why then should we be entangled again in the bondage of the Old Law?

Note: If you would like to study further about related Bible
topics, we have a number of other study materials on our web site
that should interest you. Please see the links listed below.